Mumbai, Nov 2: In the familiar battle of Asian neighbours, put into bat, India set a challenging 358-run target for Sri Lanka in the 33rd match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at Wankhede Stadium, here on Thursday.
In reply, Sri Lanka's top order batters were rattled by Indian pacers trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj and Mohd Shami. Lanka were struggling at 36/8 in only 14 overs.
Earlier, powered with half centuries by three of their key batters opener Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88) and Shreyas Iyer(82), India piled up 357/8 in the allotted 50 overs. Unfortunately, none of the trio could hit a century in a batting friendly Wankhede track.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, left arm opening bowler Dilshan Madushanka topped the chart, with an impressive 5/80 figure. His stock delivery slower cutters continue to fetch him scalps almost in every match.
Madushanka, who joined the Lankan squad later in the World Cup after injury to first choice pacers, also became the leading wicket taker in the tournament till Thursday.
Also Read: ODI WC: Gill, Kohli miss tons; but India firm vs Sri Lanka.
Madushanka continued his habit of picking wickets in the first power-play, as he removed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for 4 in the second ball of the match.
Sharma despatched the first ball he faced to fine leg for a boundary. But was bowled in the very next delivery, as he misjudged an out-swinger to be an incoming one.
It was then up to Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli to take charge of the proceedings at the 22 yards. Both of them hit 50s and accelerated scoring rate.
But they both missed tons and departed in quick succession after sharing an exciting 189-run partnership for the second wicket. Gill was caught by Pathum Nissanka of Madushanka, after making run-a-ball 92.
Madushanka struck for the third time and got Kohli too, who scored 88 in 94 balls. Kohli missed century for the second time in the tournament, caught by keeper Kusal Mendis.
Kohli, who so far has scored 48 ODI centuries, need one more to equal with his idol Sachin Tendulkar. He has however, missed centuries twice in the ongoing World Cup, though has scored a ton once.
KL Rahul was the next to depart after a 19-ball 21, with two hits to the fence. Trying a big shot against a good length delivery of Dushmantha Chameera, he holed up a catch to Dushan Hemantha at extra cover. India were 256/4 in 39.2 overs.
Madushanka returned to attack to claim his 4th victim of the match, as he got dangerous Surya Kumar Yadav caught behind the stumps by his skipper Mendis. Surya contributed just 12 in 9 balls, with two 4s.
Shreyas Iyer, who was tipped to be put on notice by the team management and was understandably advised to score big, did not dishearten at his familiar ground. He scored a convincing 50 and rescued the hosts from a mini collapse.
Shreyas also hit a massive 106-metre six (the tournament's biggest so far), when he lifted Kasun Rajitha over long on.
But he too missed a fine opportunity to touch the three digit score and was out caught by Maheesh Theekshana at extra cover, not middling a slower one from Madushanka, who had the last laugh.
Towards the end of Indian innings, Ravindra Jadeja (35 in 24 balls) and Mohd Shami (2 in 4 balls) were run out. Sri Lanka conceded 20 extra runs.
Worth mentioning that after 2011 ODI World Cup Final at the same venue, which India won with skipper MS Dhoni's superb six, both teams have not met at the Wankhede Stadium in an ODI till Thursday.
Coming back to the team selection for the match, unbeaten in the tournament so far, hosts India fielded the same XI, which won against England on October 29 in Lucknow.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka made one change in the team that lost to Afghanistan in Pune. They roped in Dushan Hemantha in place of Dhananjaya de Silva.
Sri Lanka XI:
Kusal Mendis (Captain and wicket-keeper), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka.
India XI:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper)), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
